Freedom of Expression and Media Rights in Myanmar Three Years after Reforms
It has been almost 3 years after Myanmar military junta transferred power to civilian government in 2011. Chronologically, Myanmar had been ruled by military government for almost 5 decades after Burmese generals staged a coupe in 1962, ended the democratic regime. Actually, during the military rule human rights were severely abused. As a matter of fact, people's fundamental rights and freedoms, particularly freedom of expression and media rights had been largely restricted by the government.
Myanmar's junta decided to implement the policies and laws which regulated strictly and monitored closely on any of its people's activities in order to prevent the threat to the survival of the dictatorial government in the country. Importantly, freedom of expression and press were not guaranteed by laws and constitution of the country, and every publication includes newspaper was censored by the military regime. Moreover, any people who criticized the military rule and its officials would surely face the severe consequences, and they were also arrested and sentenced to jail by the authority.
However, this brutal regime was dissolved after the democratic election was held in late 2010 by junta's generals, indicating that there was no military rule and Myanmar opened the door welcoming the democracy. Significantly, after the civilian government which ruled by former general Thein Sein established, the restriction of human rights has been partially relaxed and in 2012 the government's censorship was officially abolished. The newly civilian government has started deeply revamped the country by amending any laws which aimed at restricting human rights. Consequently, Myanmar peoples can get access to the rights such as media and press freedoms which the had never had during military rule.
Myanmar's junta decided to implement the policies and laws which regulated strictly and monitored closely on any of its people's activities in order to prevent the threat to the survival of the dictatorial government in the country. Importantly, freedom of expression and press were not guaranteed by laws and constitution of the country, and every publication includes newspaper was censored by the military regime. Moreover, any people who criticized the military rule and its officials would surely face the severe consequences, and they were also arrested and sentenced to jail by the authority.
However, this brutal regime was dissolved after the democratic election was held in late 2010 by junta's generals, indicating that there was no military rule and Myanmar opened the door welcoming the democracy. Significantly, after the civilian government which ruled by former general Thein Sein established, the restriction of human rights has been partially relaxed and in 2012 the government's censorship was officially abolished. The newly civilian government has started deeply revamped the country by amending any laws which aimed at restricting human rights. Consequently, Myanmar peoples can get access to the rights such as media and press freedoms which the had never had during military rule.
Recently, the government of Myanmar has moved to brace the domestic and foreign companies to enhance the telecommunication sector intensifying internet usage and mobile phone coverage in the country. Currently, some telecom companies are offering a free call and internet connection to Myanmar people for a trial period. Substantially, there is a very small percentage of people in the country who can to afford using mobile phone and buying SIM cards due to the very high price. According to the Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs of Myanmar, the number of mobile phone users throughout the country only reached 10 percent in the early of this year, and the mobile phone remained the luxurious things to Myanmar people in the recent years.
The new policies which are being implemented by the government of Myanmar clearly manifest that the government is putting a huge effort to enhance the growth of liberal democracy in the country, and people will be enjoying with this move. People residing in Myanmar will take much benefit from the government's new policies especially they can fancy their media rights and freedom of expression.
The new policies which are being implemented by the government of Myanmar clearly manifest that the government is putting a huge effort to enhance the growth of liberal democracy in the country, and people will be enjoying with this move. People residing in Myanmar will take much benefit from the government's new policies especially they can fancy their media rights and freedom of expression.
Comments
Post a Comment